Where do I go with … physical education?

Career World, Oct, 2004 by Anne Flounders

WHERE YOU CAN GO WITH PHYSICAL EDUCATION

WHO                  WHAT                       HOW

ATHLETIC TRAINER     Works with athletes to     Bachelor's degree in
                     prevent or rehabilitate    athletic training,
                     sports-related injuries.   sports medicine,
                                                physiology or related
                                                field. Certification
                                                from the National
                                                Athletic Trainers
                                                Association Board of
                                                Certification.

DANCE INSTRUCTOR     Creates choreography and   Advanced training in
                     teaches students dance     dance. No certification
                     moves.                     required. Instructors
                                                who plan to teach in
                                                colleges or public
                                                schools may be required
                                                to have a master's
                                                degree.

EXERCISE             Studies the mechanics of   Master's degree in
PHYSIOLOGIST         physical activity. Works   exercise physiology
                     in schools, hospitals,     (also called
                     and communities to         kinesiology).
                     improve health through     Certification from the
                     exercise.                  American College of
                                                Sports Medicine.

FITNESS TRAINER      Works with clients to      Certification, from the
                     achieve fitness goals.     American College of
                     such as weight loss or     Sports Medicine.
                     increased strength. May    American Council on
                     teach group fitness        Exercise, and the
                     classes, such as           National Strength and
                     kickboxing, aqua           Conditioning
                     aerobics, or body          Association. Applicants
                     sculpting.                 for certification often
                                                must be at least 18
                                                years old and CPR
                                                certified.

PHYSICAL THERAPIST   Helps people to relieve    Master's degree or
                     pain and build strength    higher in physical
                     and mobility after an      therapy. Must pass a
                     injury or cope with        state licensing exam.
                     other physical deficits.   Physical therapy
                                                assistants need an
                                                associate's degree or
                                                bachelor's degree.

TEACHER'S GUIDE

Article         Discuss                      Write

Where Do I Go   In the article, dance        Help Everyone Succeed in
With Physical   instructor Shanti Wargo      Phys Ed.
Education?      says, "I don't consider
                choreographing and           In the article, exercise
                teaching dance a job, but    physiologist Jim
                rather a lifestyle. Dance    LaFountain says,
                is ... a staple in my        "Physically gifted
                life."                       students almost always
                                             will succeed in PE
                Ask students:                classes, sports, and
                                             recreational activities.
                * Do you think this point    Those who are less gifted
                  of view is held by most    are the ones left behind
                  people in health or        to become the health risks
                  fitness careers? Why       of tomorrow."
                  or why not?
                                             * Have students respond to
                * What other careers do        this statement by
                  you think would feel         researching and writing
                  like a way of life           a one-page position
                  rather than just a job?      paper about physical
                                               education curricula.

Article         More Resources

Where Do I Go   The American Physical Therapy Association's education
With Physical   Web site has news and information for students
Education?      interested in studying Physical therapy.
                www.apta-org/Education/prospectivestudentinfo.

                Ferguson's Careers in Focus: Coaches and Fitness
                Professionals is written for teens with an overview of
                fitness careers and interviews with industry
                professionals. (Facts on File, 2004)

                Cool Careers for Girls in Sports, by Ceel Pasternak and
                Linda Thornburg, is ideal for middle school-aged girls
                interested in sports and fitness careers. (Impact
                Publications, 1999)